[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 56 (Thursday, April 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E751]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


        MISSISSIPPI VALLEY NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK ACT OF 1999

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARION BERRY

                              of arkansas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 22, 1999

  Mr. BERRY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Mississippi 
Valley National Historical Park Act of 1999. This legislation will 
establish a Historical Park on the former Eaker Air Force Base in 
Blytheville, Arkansas.
  The former Eaker Air Force Base, which is located just outside of 
Blytheville in the Mississippi Valley region, is the site of 14 
archaeological sites associated with Native Americans. The central and 
lower Mississippi Valley region contained the highest population levels 
and the most complex Native American societies north of Mexico before 
the arrival of European peoples in the 16th century. It has also hosted 
Spanish, French, English, and ultimately American societies at 
different times in the last 450 years.
  Because of its value in illustrating and interpreting the heritage of 
the United States, these sites have been recognized by the National 
Park Service in numerous ways, such as designation as being placed on 
the National Register of Historic Places in 1984, and as a National 
Historic Landmark in 1996.
  Archaeological sites such as these benefit, educate, and inspire 
present and future generations of Americans, but no unified heritage 
park for the central Mississippi Valley region exists within the 
National Park Service. This legislation will protect the archaeological 
sites located on the former Eaker Air Force Base, and preserve, 
maintain, and interpret the natural, seismic, cultural, and 
recreational heritage of the central Mississippi Valley region.

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